what is a field engineer?

As a field engineer, you use your theoretical understanding of engineering concepts and practical designs to install and maintain equipment, machines, and systems. You offer services to clients in the field by overseeing operations and ensuring the machinery works as expected.

You work in industries that need on-site supervision of equipment. For instance, some field engineers work at airports as part of the maintenance crew or in warehouses and factories. Sometimes you install or repair machines at the client's residence or place of business. Your job requires the application of scientific and mathematical theories in solving problems. Some field engineers also work in the banking industry to install and maintain automated teller machines (ATMs).

Field engineers need to be attentive to detail to diagnose systems or machinery problems accurately. Most of the time, you troubleshoot the systems while in use, and you should not interrupt the workflow or halt the operations. Creativity also helps you recommend or implement appropriate solutions to ensure the equipment works smoothly.

Would working as a field engineer suit your innovativeness and problem-solving skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a field engineer role.

view jobs near you
1

average field engineer salary

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) program, the average salary of a field engineer in the United States is $101,670. This is higher than the average salary of all engineers ($98,880) and the median wage of all workers ($37,040). The BLS and OES data also show that the top-paying industries for field engineers are petroleum and coal products manufacturing ($137,040); navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing ($131,070); and agencies, brokerages, and other insurance-related activities ($130,990). The top-paying states for field engineers are Alaska ($133,420), the District of Columbia ($132,690), and Maryland ($125,190).

factors affecting a field engineer salary

Field engineers' salaries often vary depending on the industry. For instance, becoming a field engineer for aerospace industries requires higher skill sets than working for regular factories. Hence, you are likely to earn more if you specialize in working for a specific sector. Your qualifications and years of experience also influence your pay scale. To increase your salary, combine your work experience with additional qualifications or specialization in a particular industry.

The company's size also impacts your salary since small businesses have limited resources and cannot pay massive wages or provide additional benefits. Large companies or multinationals have the resources to pay more since they deal with complex projects.

Wondering what you can earn as a field engineer? Find out immediately with the Randstad salary checker! You can quickly and easily see what the average salary of a field engineer is.

Male with glasses smiling and looking to the side
Male with glasses smiling and looking to the side
2

types of field engineers

Aside from working as a general field engineer, you can specialize in a single industry sector, including:

  • medical field engineer: As a medical or biomedical field engineer, you install, maintain, and troubleshoot medical equipment. Your role is to install magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and scanners. You also service ultrasound and X-ray equipment or ventilators.
  • mechanical field engineer: As a mechanical field engineer, you work in the transport, energy, or manufacturing industries. Your job is to inspect and troubleshoot equipment and machinery to ensure smooth operations.
  • IT field engineer: In IT, field engineers install and service IT equipment and ensure the computer systems are running without glitches. In case of failure, you diagnose the problem and provide a solution to restore functionality.
  • automotive field engineer: As an automotive field engineer, you work with vehicle manufacturers and assembly units to inspect and fix vehicles. Sometimes you visit clients to solve problems in their cars.
3

working as a field engineer

As a field engineer, you will work in various industries, from construction to IT to finance. Read on to find out what field engineers do daily and their career prospects.

4

field engineer education and skills

As a field engineer, you need expert knowledge of machinery and equipment used in your industry. Educational qualifications like a bachelor's degree or diploma show your competency in handling equipment. Most field engineers pursue engineering courses in related fields. For instance, to become a construction field engineer, you should study civil engineering whereas mechanical engineering helps you excel in the manufacturing or aerospace industries.

Field engineers can also seek apprenticeship opportunities, which give you on-the-job training as you complete formal education. Work experience is significant in maintenance, and you need an internship to improve your skills.

skills and competencies

Aside from academic qualifications, the following skills improve your career prospects in field engineering:

  • technical maintenance: As a field engineer, knowledge and expertise in technical maintenance is vital. You need to know how to repair and service various equipment. That means good background knowledge of the functioning of multiple systems helps you diagnose and repair problems in the system. Aside from routine servicing, your technical maintenance skills aid in troubleshooting problems that arise and identifying efficient solutions.
  • critical thinking: During maintenance, you carry out various tests and systems checks on machinery or equipment. Critical thinking ability helps you pinpoint a problem from the test results. The skill also enables you to figure out a solution promptly and ensure minimal work interruption during repairs.
  • communication skills: As a field engineer, you work alongside various technicians and engineers. When brainstorming ideas for repairs or explaining maintenance processes to the technicians, you need communication skills. You also need writing skills for completing your reports and reviews of the tests and repairs completed. Occasionally, you have to give written suggestions to improve the machinery or provide maintenance procedures.
  • attention to detail: Diagnosing problems in a system or machinery is challenging despite regular checks and tests. Without a keen eye for detail, you may miss some of the issues in the system or provide the wrong diagnosis.
smiling man, construction site in the background
smiling man, construction site in the background
5

FAQs about working as a field engineer

Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about field engineers.

thank you for subscribing to your personalised job alerts.